Southampton produced a strong defensive performance to earn a 0-0 draw against league leaders Liverpool at St Mary's.

Claude Puel's side defended superbly throughout, with goalkeeper Fraser Forster making two excellent saves to keep the visitors out.

Puel handed Sofiane Boufal his first Premier League start, with Dušan Tadić missing out completely after suffering an injury on international duty.

Ryan Bertrand, Fraser Forster and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who suffered minor knocks during the international break, all started, while Shane Long, injured since the away game at Internazionale, was named among the substitutes.

For the visitors, former Saints Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren and Sadio Mané all started, but Adam Lallana missed out through injury.

While the visitors dominated the early exchanges, the best effort inside the opening 20 minutes came from Bertrand, as he saw his low shot blocked well by Joel Matip.

Ryan Bertrand had the first chance of the game

We had to wait until the 28th minute before seeing either goalkeeper tested, and it was Fraser Forster who was called into action. The England international did superbly to tip Mané’s effort away from goal, with the shot destined for the top corner.

Mané, who scored twice in this fixture last season for Saints, was proving to be the most influential man for Liverpool this time around.

It took a stunning block from Virgil van Dijk to deny the Senegalese international the opener just before half time.

Fraser Forster makes a stunning save to deny Sadio Mané

The visitors began brightly at the start of the second half, but it was from a Saints error that they almost took the lead inside five minutes of the restart.

Højbjerg's pass, intended for van Dijk, was intercepted by Roberto Firmino, and he played in Philippe Coutinho, but the Liverpool man fluffed his lines under pressure from José Fonte.

As we approached the hour mark, Saints had their best opportunity of the game so far, as Cédric's cross found Charlie Austin, but the striker header wide of the target from eight yards.

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Liverpool should have gone ahead with 65 minutes on the clock, but Firmino fired wide from Coutinho's defence-splitting pass.

Saints had to show all of their togetherness and spirit to keep Liverpool at bay as the game ticked on, with Daniel Sturridge introduced as the visitors searched for a winner.

There was to be no late drama however, as Saints picked up a well-earned point against Jürgen Klopp's side.